Synthesis of indoles from anilines and intermediates therein

ABSTRACT

Preparing indoles and intermediates therefor by reacting an Nhaloaniline with a Beta -carbonylic hydrocarbon sulfide to form an azasulfonium halide, reacting the azasulfonium halide with a strong base to form a thio-ether indole derivative, and then reducing the thio-ether indole, e.g. with Raney nickel, to form the indole compound. When an acetal or ketal of the Beta carbonyl hydrocarbon sulfide is used, the azasulfonium salt is treated with a base, and then with an acid to form the thio-ether indole derivative. When an Alpha -ethyl- Beta -carbonylic hydrocarbon sulfide is used, the resulting azosulfonium salt reacts with strong base to form a thio-ether indolenine derivative, which on reduction with Raney nickel or complex metal hydrides yields 3-substituted indoles. The aniline may be an aminopyridine to form an aza-indole compound in the process. The azasulfonium salts and thio-ether indole or thio-ether indolenine derivatives can be isolated and recovered from their respective reaction mixtures. The thio-ether-indole and thio-ether indolenine derivatives are useful as intermediates to make the indoles without the thio-ether group. The indoles are known compounds having a wide variety of uses, e.g., in making perfumes, dyes, amino acids, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and the like.

United States Patent [1 1 Gassman Aug. 26, 1975 SYNTHESIS OF INDOLES FROM ANILINES AND INTERMEDIATES THEREIN [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: The Ohio State University Research Foundation, Columbus, Ohio [22] Filed: Apr. 27, 1973 [2]] Appl. No; 355,198

Paul G. Gassman, Columbus, Ohio [52] US. Cl. 260/294.8 C; 260/294.8 E; 260/326.] 1: 260/326.l2 R; 260/326.l3 R:

[51] Int. Cl. C071) 31/50 [58] Field of Search.. 260/326.11, 326.12 R, 551 R, 260/294.8 C, 294.86, 479 R, 326.13 R

Primary ExaminerAlan L. Rotman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gordon W. Hueschen [57] ABSTRACT Preparing indoles and intermediates therefor by reacting an N'haloaniline with a B-carbonylic hydrocarbon sulfide to form an azasulfonium halide, reacting the azasulfonium halide with a strong base to form a thioether indole derivative, and then reducing the thioether indole, e.g. with Raney nickel, to form the indole compound. When an acetal or ketal of the fl-carbonyl hydrocarbon sulfide is used, the azasulfonium salt is treated with a base, and then with an acid to form the thio-ether indole derivative. When an a-ethyl-B-carbonylic hydrocarbon sulfide is used, the resulting azosulfonium salt reacts with strong base to form a thio-ether indolenine derivative, which on reduction with Raney nickel or complex metal hydrides yields 3-substituted indoles. The aniline may be an aminopyridine to form an aza-indole compound in the process. The azasu-lfonium salts and thio-ether indole or thio-ether indolenine derivatives can be isolated and recovered from their respective reaction mixtures. The thio-ether-indole and thio-ether indolenine derivatives are useful as intermediates to make the indoles without the thio-ether group. The indoles are known compounds having a wide variety of uses, e.g., in mak ing perfumes, dyes, amino acids, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and the like.

20 Claims, No Drawings SYNTHESIS OF INDOLES FROM ANILINES AND INTERMEDIATES THEREIN The invention described herein was made in the course of work under a grant or award from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to processes for making indoles. More particularly, this invention provides an improved process for preparing various substituted and unsubstituted indoles and intermediates therefor.

The Fischer indole synthesis [E. Fischer and F. Jourdan, Chem. Ber., 16, 224l (I883); E. Fischer and O. Hess, ibid., 17, 559 (1884); E. Fischer, Justus Liebigs, An. Chem., 236, I26 l886)., and B. Robinson, Chem. R\., 69, 227 (1969)] has received the most widespread use because it, coupled with the Japp Klingemann reaction [Chem. Ber., 20, 2942, 3284, 3398 (I887); ()rq. Reactions, I0, I43, (1959)] has been the most versatile and widely applicable method of obtaining indoles up to this time. However, because of some inherent disadvantages to that process there is a need in the art for a more efficient, more economical process for making indole, indole intermediates, and indole derivatives.

Other prior art that might be considered pertinent is the following: (a) P. Claus and W. Vyeudilik, Monatsh. Chem., lOl, 396 1970), wherein Claus et al reacted an aniline with a dimethylsulfoxide to form a sulfiliminic acid, not an azasulfonium salt; and (b) P. Claus, W. Vycudilik, and W. Rieder, Monatslz. Chem., 102, I571 [97 l wherein these sulfiliminic compounds are thermally rearranged to hydrocarbon-S-hydrocarbon aromatic amine thio-ethers. Other papers which can be considered include our own publication in Tetrahedron Letters, No. 6, pp. 497-5OO [972) and that of Prof. C. R. Johnson et. al., Tetrahedron Letters, N0. 6, pp. 501-504 (i972). In addition, the paper of U. Lerch and J. G. Moffatt entitled Carbodiimide-Sulfoxide Reactions. XIII. Reactions of Amines and Hydrazine Derivatives" in the Journal of Organic Chemistry, Vol. 36, 3861 (197i) may be considered as pertinent as the Claus publications, supra. See also The Chemistry of Indoles" by R. J. Sundberg, Academic Press, New York (1970) and Indoles" Part I, by R. K. Brown, W. J. Houlihan Ed., Wiley Interscience, New York, (1972). Also, pertinent is our publication in J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 95, 590, 591 (1973).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, I have discovered that indoles can be prepared by reacting an N-haloaniline with a B-carbonyl hydrocarbon-S-hydrocarbon sulfide, or an acetal or ketal form thereof, under mild, substantially anhydrous conditions to form an azasulfonium halide salt, which can be isolated, if desired, and thereafter treating the azasulfonium salt with a base to form a thio-ether substituted indole or thio-ether substituted indolenine compound ifa B-carbonyl sulfide or a-alkyl-B-carbonyl sulfide had been used, respectively, or with a base and then with acid if a B-carbonyl sulfide acetal or ketal had been used, to form the thio-ether substituted indole or thitrether substituted indolenine. Thereafter, if desired, the thio-ether indole or thio-ether indolenine can be reduced, e.g., with Raney nickel, to remove the thioether group from the indole. This process is applicable to both anilines and aminopyridines. This process can be conducted through its several steps in one reaction vessel, without separation of the intermediate reaction products up to the isolation of the thio-ethers. However, in some cases it may be preferred for yield econo mies to isolate and at least partially purify the azasulfonium salt and thio-ether intermediates before continuing the process.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an improved process for making indoles using primary and secondary aromatic amines and B-carbonyl sulfides or acetal or ketal forms of the B-carbonyl sulfides as reactants in the process.

It is another object of this invention to provide a process for making indoles and intermediates therefor which enables a less tedious synthesis and the use of more readily available, less expensive reactant chemicals under milder reaction conditions, which now permits the use of aniline starting materials containing substituents which otherwise could not be used.

Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in this art from the specification and claims which follow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION More specifically, this invention provides an improved process for making azasulfonium salt intermediates which are useful for making indoles which are known and which have a wide variety of known uses.

According to the process of this invention, a primary or secondary aniline or amino-pyridine starting material, both being referred to hereinafter as an aniline, is first reacted with a source of positive halogen to prepare the N-haloaniline. Many sources of positive halogen are known and can be used to form the N- haloanilines. Examples of positive halogen sources for this reaction include tertbutyl hypochlorite, N-chlorosuccinimide, calcium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hypobromite, and the like. The Nchloro anilines are preferred for reasons of availability of reactants to make them and cost of materials, but other positive halogen compounds can be used to make useful N-halo-anilines for use in this process.

The essential features of the process comprise:

a. reacting under substantially anhydrous conditions in an organic diluent, at a temperature ranging from the Dry-lce/acetone mixture temperatures (about-78C) to about 20C an N-halo-aniline of the formula more than one of Y and Z, as a substituent, is ortho to the N(R)A group position on the ring;

:he N(R)A group position on the ring having at least one ring carbon atom ortho thereto in an unsubstituted state;

with a B-carbonyl sulfide compound or a B-carbonyl sulfide acetal or ketal compound having a formula selected from the group consisting of R is lower alkyl, or phenyl', R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or phenyl; R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl or benzyl; R can be attached to R" as part of a cyclic ring system containing 5 to 8 carbon atoms; each R is lower alkyl or the two R* radicals are taken together with the O- O- moiety to complete a cyclic ketal or acetal having from 3 to 4 carbon atoms in the ring, for a time sufficient to Form an azasulfonium salt having a formula selected from the group consisting of wherein X, Y, Z, R, R, R, R", each R and A are as :lefined above;

3. reacting the azasulfonium salt (IV) (R H) with a iubstantially anhydrous base, that is, one whose conjugate acid has a pKa greater than about 6, to efi'ect rearangement of the azasulfonium salt and to form a thio- :ther compound of the formula derived from the free B-carbonyl sulfide reactant ll (R H); or reacting the azasulfonium salt of formula V (R H) with substantially anhydrous base to form a compound of the formula VI] (Vlll l RI wherein the C( R )(SR')[-C(OR) R radical is ortho to the N(R)H position on the ring;

c. if compound V1] is formed in step (b), treating the compound V1] with acid, preferably an economical mineral acid such as aqueous hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, or the like, sufficient in amount and strength to effect hydrolysis of the OR ketal (or acetal) groups and to form a compound of the formula VI, above;

d. reacting the azasulfonium salt (IV) (R alkyl and R is hydrogen, or R and R connected to form a ring,

and R is hydrogen) with a substantially anhydrous base, that is, one whose conjugate acid has a pKa greater than about 6, to effect rearrangement of the azasulfonium salt and to form a thio-ether compound of the formula 2 (VIII) (indolenine compounds) when X, Y, Z, R, R and R are defined above, and wherein the perforated hexagon containing X, Y, and Z denotes a fused benzo (phenyl) or pyridyl ring in which X is in the 4-, 5-, 6-, or 7-position relative to the indole ring nitrogen, when the azasulfonium salt had formula IV, that is, when the azasulfonium salt was derived from the free B-carbonyl sulfide reactant ll (R= H, R alkyl, phenyl or benzyl or R connected to R in a ring); or reacting the azasulfonium salt of formula V (R H, R alkyl, phenyl or benzyl or R connected to R in a ring) with substantially anhydrous base to form a compound of the formula VII wherein the NH position on the ring;

e. if compound VII (R H and R alkyl, phenyl or benzyl or R and R connected to form a ring and R H) is formed in step (b), treating the compound V1! with acid, preferably an economical mineral acid such as aqueous hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, or the like, sufficient in amount and strength to effect hydrolysis of the OR ketal (or acetal) groups and to form a compound of the formula Vlll, above. f. treating the indole derivative of formula Vl from step (b) or from step (c), or the indolenine derivative of formula Vlll from step (d) or from step (c) with a desulfurizing reducing agent, e.g., with Raney nickel or its equivalent, to form a compound having a formula selected from the group consisting of from the compound of formula VI", wherein in each respective formula X, Y, Z, R, R and R are as defined above, and the perforated line hexagon has the same meaning as indicated above.

As used herein the term lower alkyl" means a C to C -alkyl radical, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tertbutyl, n-pentyl, neopentyl, nhexyl. and the like. The term lower alkyloxy denotes a C to C -alkyl-o-group wherein the C to C -alkyl is as exemplified above. The term lower acyloxy" denotes formyloxy and a C to C,,-alkyl-C(O)O-group wherein the C, to C -alkyl is exemplified as above.

The aniline and aminopyridine compounds which can be used as starting materials in this process are those which have a free, unsubstituted carbon position on the aromatic ring ortho to the amino nitrogen group. Such compounds are known or are obtainable by known procedures. Many of them are described in publications such as Chem Sources, Directories Publishing Co., Flemington, NJ. 08822 (1972). The aniline may be unsubstituted or may contain one or more substituents, preferably not more than two substituents on aromatic ring carbon atoms. The substituents should be atoms or groups which do not donate electrons more strongly than say, methoxy, in the meta-position or more strongly than acetoxy in the para or ortho positions. Not more than one of such substituents should be ortho to the N(R)A group position. The N(R)A group position of the aniline compound must have at least one ring carbon atom ortho thereto in the unsubstituted state. Examples of substituents which can be in the ring include halogen (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine), nitro, cyano, N,N-di-loweralkylamino, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, lower acyloxy, a carbonyloxylower alkyl and carbonyloxy-phenyl groups. Examples of useful starting compounds include aniline, 3- chloroaniline, 4-chloroaniline, 3,4-dichloroaniline, 3- fluoroaniline, 4-fluoroaniline, 3-bromoaniline, 4- bromoaniline, 4-iodoaniline, 3-nitroaniline, 4- nitroaniline, 3-cyanoaniline, 4-cyanoaniline, the toluidines such as 2-methylaniline, 3-methylaniline, 4- methylaniline, 4-ethylaniline, 4-hexylaniline, 3- propylaniline, 3-chloro-4-methylaniline, the lower alkyloxy-substituted anilines such as 3-methoxyaniline, 4-acetoxyaniline, 4-propionoxyaniline, 4- hexanoyloxyaniline, the 3- and 4-carbonyloxy-lower alkylanilines such as benzocaine (4-ethoxycarbonylaniline 4-methoxycarbonylaniline, 3- propoxycarbonylaniline, as well as 3- phenoxycarbonylaniline, 4-phenoxyearbonyl-aniline, and the aminopyridines such as 2-aminopyridine, 4-methyI-Z-amino-pyridine, 4-ethyl-2-aminopyridine, 4-hexyl-2-amino-pyridine, 4-methoxy-2- aminopyridine, 4-hexyloxy-2-aminopyridine, 3- aminopyridine, 4-amino-pyridine, 3-bromo-4- aminopyridine, 3-iodo-4-aminopyridine, 4- ethoxycarbonyl-2-aminopyridine, 4-chloro-2- aminopyridine, and the like. Secondary anilines and aminopyridines which may be used include those having a C to C hydrocarbon group bonded to the amino nitrogen and include the N-C to C -alkylanilines and aminopyridines such as the N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-butyl, N-tert-butyl, N-octylanilines and aminopyridines as well as the N-phenyl, N-tolyl, N-xylylanilines and aminopyridines and the N-cycloalkylanilines and aminopyridines such as N-cyclopropyl, N-cyclobutyl, N-cyclopentyl, N-cyclohexyl and N-cyclooctylanilines and aminopyridines, and such compounds substituted on ring carbon atoms thereof with halogen, nitro, cyano, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, lower acyloxy, a carbonyloxy-lower alkyl or a carbonyloxy-phenyl as exemplified above.

The B-carbonyl sulfide and B-carbonyl sulfide acetal and ketal reactants of formulas I] and Ill above, are exemplified by the acetonyl alkyl sulfides such as acetonyl methyl sulfide, acetonyl ethyl sulfide, acetonyl isopropyl sulfide, acetonyl butyl sulfide, acetonyl hexyl sulfide, and acetonyl phenyl sulfide, the alkylthioacetaldehydes such as the methylthioacetaldehyde, ethylthioacetaldehyde, isopropylthioacetaldehyde, butylthioacetaldehyde. pentylthioacetaldehyde, hexylthioacetaldehyde, phenylthioacetaldehyde, benzylthioacetaldehyde, as well as the alkylthio-, phenylthioand benzylthio substituted ketones such as methylthi- \ethyl ethyl ketone, a-ethylthioethyl ethyl ketone, propylthio methyl hexyl ketone, a-phcnylthio butyl enyl ketone, a-ethylthio ethyl phenyl ketonc, methylthio-benzyl phenyl ketone, a-ethylthioethyl nzyl ketone, methyl phenacetyl sulfide, Z-methylthiyclohexanone, 2-methylthio cyclopentanonc, 'nethylthiocycloheptanone, and the like, and the di- :thyl, diethyl, dipropyl, dibutyl, dipentyl dehexyl and iylene and propylene glycol acetal and ketal derivaes of such ketones and aldehydes, Use of the acetal ketal form of the B-carbonyl sulfidc reactant to form azasulfonium salt results in the formation of an isoable intermediate, having general formula VII, when azasulfonium salt is treated with a base. Treatment this ketal or acetal intermediate VII with an acid to drolyze the alkyl ketal or acetal protecting groups m the oxygen results in the formation of the indole io-ether derivative of structure VI when R hydron, and the formation of the indolenine thio-ether de- 'ative of structure VIII when R=H and R alkyl or is connected to R to form a ring. In some cases the :lds of the indole thio-ether structure compound are gher by isolating the intermediate VII from its reacm mixture, and at least partially purifying it, before :ating it with acid to form the indole thio-ether com- Iund or the indolenine thio-ether derivative but it is It necessary to isolate intermediate VII in this pro- The reactions in this process up to the point of base ,dition are preferably conducted at relatively low mperatures, say, from the cooling temperatures obined by using Dry Ice/acetone mixtures (about 78C) to about 20C, more preferably below about C, although the reaction temperature becomes less itical after the azasulfonium salt is formed. When the ise addition is completed the reaction mixtures need it be cooled. The reactions between the aniline and e halogenating agent to form the N-haloaniline, the -haloaniline and the B-carbonyl sulfide reactant or e acetal or ketal form thereof to form the azasulnium salt, and between the azasulfonium salt and the lse are preferably done in an organic liquid solvent edium at a temperature below C. Thereafter, the mperature. of the mixture can be allowed to rise at om temperature. Acid, if necessary to treat the acetal ketal groups, can be added at any convenient tem- :rature, within the range indicated above, but preferay at say, 0C to 50C.

The reactions of this process can be conducted in a ide variety of inert organic solvents and diluents. Sol- :nts as extreme in polarity as toluene and methanol m be used. Methylene chloride has been most comonly used, but solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, chloform, acetonitrile and the like can also be used. The azasulfonium halide salt and base treatment eps of the process are conducted under substantially ihydrous conditions; that is, a reasonable degree of ire is taken to avoid the introduction of water into the action mixture during these steps, although the introiction of small incidental amounts of water intro- JCCd with solvents or reactants is not substantially :trimental to the process.

The base which is reacted with the azasulfonium salt, I or V, can be any base which will cause formation of I ylid intermediate, which wili undergo a Sommeletauser type of rearrangement, and effect hydrogen ansfer to produce the indole thio-ether VI or the aceta] or ketal VII. Bases which can be used for this purpose are those which have a conjugate acid with a pKa of greater than about 6 and include, e.g., alkanolic alkali metal hydroxides such as methanolic sodium hy droxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide, as well as sodium methoxide, potassium methoxidc, sodium and potassium ethoxides, potassium and sodium carbonates, and organic bases such as lower alkyl amines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethyl-amine, tributylamine, and aromatic amines such as pyridine, the lutidines, and the like.

Treatment of the azasulfonium salt with the base results in rapid conversion of the azasulfonium salt through its unisolated intermediates to the indole derivative having either formula VI or formula VIII if a ,B-carbonyl sulfide reactant had been used, or to the formation of intermediate having formula VII if the B-carbonyl sulfide acetal or ketal had been used. The intermediate produce VII can be isolated, if desired, but this is not necessary. The crude reaction mixture can be treated with acid to form indole derivative of formula VI or VIII depending on the nature of R and R.

As an example, a typical procedure could involve treating aniline in methylene chloride solution at 65C with tert-butyl hypochlorite, to form the N- chloroaniline, followed by the addition of methyl thioacetaldehyde at 65C, to form the azasulfonium salt and then with triethylamine to obtain 3-methylthio indole in 30 percent yield. Similar treatment of 4- chloroaniline gives 3-methylthio-6-chloroindole in 35 percent yield and 3nitroaniline gives 3-methylthio-5- nitroindole in 38 percent yields. These thio-ether products can be isolated and treated with Raney nickel to reduce thioether indole derivatives; or with Raney nickel, or an alkali metal aluminum hydride, or alkali metal borohydride, e.g.. lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, or the like to reduce the methylthioindolenine compounds, or equivalent reducing agents by known procedures to remove the 3-thio-methyl groups and to form indole, fi-chlorindole, and S-aminoindole, respectively. In the reductions, the nitro substituent is also reduced to the amino group, which can be advantageous for some uses of the indole product.

Preferred reactants for use in this process are those wherein an N-chloroaniline of an N- chloroaminopyridinc is reacted with a lower a-alkylthio ketone or a lower a-alkylthio aldehyde, that is, those B-carbonyl sulfides wherein R is lower alkyl, R is hydrogen lower alkyl or phenyl, and R is hydrogen or lower alkyl. When a ketal or an acetal of the ,B-car bonyl sulfide is used the preferred compounds are those wherein R is lower alkyl, R is hydrogen lower alkyl or phenyl, R is hydrogen or lower alkyl and each R is lower alkyl or cyclic. R can be bonded to R to form a ring, as indicated above.

Products produced by the process of this invention can be used for a wide variety of purposes. The 3-thioether indoles can be used as intermediates to make the indoles without the thio-ether group. Indole is known to be useful in perfumery in dilute concentrations. These compounds can be used as perfume bases, as intermediates for making plant hormones such as 3- indoleacetic acid, for making amino acids such as tryptophane, for making indigoid and thioindigoid type compounds which are useful as vat dyes for fabrics, pigments for paints, printing inks, plastics, etc. In addition,

compounds produced by the process of this invention can be used as intermediates to prepare serotonin, antiserotonin, and some antipsychotic agents, antihypersive drugs and the like. See for example, A. Burger, Medicinal Chemistry, 3rd Edition, .1. Wiley and Sons, New York, NY. (1970) Pp.70, 1038, 1413, 1451-1455, 1458-59, 1484-85; J. Amer. Chem. Soc, 79, p. 3561 (1957); Experientia, 23, p. 298 (1967); Experientia, 16, 140 1960); and M.S.L.D. Moustafa, Japan Journal of Tuberc., 9, 65 1961 for references to products which can be prepared by known procedures from the indoles and indole derivatives from this invention. Also, products of the process of this invention can be used to prepare the anti-inflammatory indomethacen and similar compounds disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,161,654, as well as lndoxole, (an anti-inflammatory agent) indolmycin, an antibiotic, as well as compounds disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,686,213 which are useful as diuretics, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers and inflammation inhibitors, for making antibacterial agents such as 5,6-dibromo-3-(2-aminoethyl) indolenine derivative in Tetrahedron Letters, (1973), page 299. The new compounds produced in the process of this invention are useful as intermediates in this process to prepare indoles and indole derivatives having the above exemplified uses.

The invention is further exemplified by the following detailed examples and preparations which are given by illustration only. Temperatures herein are in degrees centigrade unless otherwise indicated.

PREPARATION OF 3-METHYLTHlO-INDOLES Methylthioacetaldehyde was obtained by refluxing 13 g. (0.095 mol) of methylthio-acetaldehyde dimethylacetal in 40 ml. of a 1 percent aqueous hydrochloric acid solution for 30 minutes. After cooling to room temperature, the solution was neutralized with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride layer, after drying over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtering, and evaporating the solvent, gave a residue which was distilled to yield 5.24 g. (0.05 mol, 62 percent) of methylthioacetaldehyde, b.p. 129-134; n D 1.4810.

Two general procedures for the synthesis of indoles were used.

METHOD A. SYNTHESlS OF INDOLES FROM ANILINES AND B-CARBONYL SULFIDES To a vigorously stirred solution of about 0.044 mol of the aniline in 150 ml. of methylene chloride at 65, was added dropwise a solution of 0.044 mol of tertbutyl hypochlorite in 20 ml. of the same solvent to form the N-chloroaniline. After 5 to minutes, 0.044 mol of the B-carbonyl sulfide (R H) dissolved in ml. of methylene chloride was added causing an exotherm, and stirring at 65C was continued for 1 hour to insure complete reaction to form the azasulfonium chloride salt. Usually the azasulfonium chloride salt had precipitated. Subsequently, 0.044 mol of triethylamine in 20 ml. of methylene chloride was added to the azasulfonium salt mixture. After the addition was completed, the cooling bath was removed and the solution was allowed to warm to room temperature. Both rearrangement and cyclization to form the 2-substituted indole were complete at this point. A 50 ml. portion of water was added and the organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and evaporated. The residue was further purified by column chromatography over silica gel using methylene chloride or a methylene chloride/- chloroform mixture as the eluent.

Desulfurization of the 3-thio-ether indoles was accomplished by stirring a solution of 0.5 to 2.0 g. of the thio-ether indole in 50 ml. of absolute ethanol with an excess of W-2 Raney-nickel for 30 minutes. Filtration and evaporation gave a residue that was redissolved in methylene chloride and dried. After filtration, the solvent was removed leaving the pure de-sulfurized indole in yields varying from to 82 percent.

W-2 Raney Nickel Preparation for Use The W-2 Raney Nickel used in these experiments was obtained from W. R. Grace and Co., Raney Catalyst Division, South Pittsburg, Tennessee, as No. 28 Raney Active Nickel Catalyst in Water. A portion of this was placed in a beaker and washed with distilled water until neutral to pH paper and then several more times with distilled water, three times with ethanol, and three times with absolute ethanol. The catalyst under absolute ethanol was stored in brown bottles until use.

METHOD B. SYNTHESIS OF lNDOLES FROM ANlLlNES AND B-CARBONYL SULFIDE ACETALS AND KETALS To a vigorously stirred solution of a 0.044 mol portion of the aniline in ml. of methylene chloride at 65 there was added dropwise a solution of a 0.044 mol portion of tertbutylhypochlorite in 20 ml. of the same solvent to form the N-chloroaniline. After 5 to 10 minutes, a 0.044 mol portion of the B-carbonyl sulfide acetal or ketal (R H) dissolved in 20 ml. of methylene chloride was added causing an exotherm, and stirring at -65C was continued for about 1 hour to insure complete reaction to form the azasulfonium salt. Usually the azasulfonium salt had precipitated. Subsequently, a 0.044 mol portion of triethylamine in 20 ml. of methylene chloride was added. After the base addition was completed, the cooling bath was removed and the solution was allowed to warm to room temperature. A 50 ml. portion of water was added and the organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and evaporated, leaving an oily residue that mainly consisted of the unrearranged azasulfonium salt. To effect the rearrangement to intermediate compound VII the residue was refluxed in 150 ml. of carbon tetrachloride containing 5 ml. of triethylamine overnight or until rearrangement was complete. When all of the azasulfonium salt was rearranged the solvent was removed and the residue redissolved in 150 ml. of ethyl ether. Cyclization of the acetal or ketal intermediate to the indole ring system was effected by stirring this solution for 3 hours with 50 ml. of 2 N hydrochloric acid. After separation of the liquid layers, the ethereal layer was treated with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, dried, filtered and evaporated. The residue containing the 3-thio-ether indole product was recovered. Further purification can be effected by column chromatography over silica gel using methylene chloride as the eluent.

Desulfurization of the 3-thio-ether indole was accom plished in the manner indicated above to form the indole compound.

EXAMPLE 1 PREPARATION OF lNDOLE A. a-Methylthio-oz-( Z-aminophenyl )-acetaldehyde dimethyl-acetal.

The sub-titled compound was obtained from aniline 1d methylthioacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal following ocedure B as far as the rearrangement. The product is purified by removal of the solvent to give an oily sidue that was separated by column chromatography ilica gel-methylene chloride/ether 2:1) giving 5.70 g .025 mol, 57%) of the sub-titled compound. An anazical sample was obtained by distillation: bp L5128 (0.15 mm), n D 1.5678; prnr (CCl,,) 82-367 (4H, aromatic protons), 5.39 (1H, d, J=7 1), 6.02 (1H, d, J=7 Hz), 6.17 (2H, broad 3, NH;), 55 and 6.88 (3H, s, diastereomeric OCH and 8.22 H,s,SCH;,). Anal. Calcd for C H NO S: C. 58.12; H, 7.54; N, 16; S. 14.11. Found: C, 58.01; H, 7.42; N. 6.15; S, 13.66. B. Conversion of the dimethyl acetal from part A to methylthioindole was accomplished by stirring 0.50 2.20 mmol) of the dimethylacctal dissolved in 25 ml ethyl ether for 2 hr. with 10 ml of 0.5 N aqueous hyogen chloride. The ethereal layer was separated, :ated with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, ied, filtered and evaporated to yield 0.35 g (2.14 1101. 97%) of the oily 3-methylthioindole. This 3- :thylthioindole was treated with Raney nickel as deribed to form indole. identified by comparison with authentic sample.

EXAMPLE 2 PREPARATION OF Z-METHYLINDOLE A. 2-Methyl-3-methylthioindole.

This compound was obtained from N-chloroaniline cl methylthioacetone following Method A, carried t on a 0.022 mol scale. which gave 2.68 g (0.015 )1, 69%) of the sub-titled product mp 5859 (recr. 1m cyclohexane), bp 140142 (0.85 mm); ir 3400 1 "(NH): prnr (CCl 2.25-3.20 (5H, m, aromatic 7.76 and 7.83 (s, 3, CH and SCH Anal. Calcd for C H NS: C, 67.75; H.6.26;H,7.90. ound: C,67.61; H,6.19; N, 7.87.

3. Desulfurization of the 2-methy1-3- :thylthioindole (2.86 g, 0.022 mol) gave in 79% yield nethylindole, identified by comparison with an au- :ntic sample.

EXAMPLE 3 PREPARAT1ON OF 2.5DIMETHYLINDOLE A. 2,5-Dimethyl-3-methylthioindole.

This compound was obtained from N-chloro-puidine and methylthio-acetone following Method A .ich gave 5.05 g (0.0265 mol. 60%) of the sub-titled )duct: mp 1101 1 1 (recr. from cyclohexane); ir Br) 3350 cm (NH); pmr (CCL), 2.78 (1H, s, NH). and 3.20 (1 resp. 2H, s, aromatic H), 7.58, 7.79 117.86 (3H, s, CH

\nal. Calcd for C H,;,NS: C. 69.09; H, 6.85; N. 13; S, 16.73. Found: C. 69.10; H, 6.86; N. 7.25; S. .73.

l. Desulfurization of 2,5-dimethyl-3- thylthioindole (0.50 g, 2.62 mmol) with Raney kel gave in 80% yield 2,5-dimethy1indo1e as identi- :1 by comparison with an authentic sample.

EXAMPLE 4 PREPARATION OF S-ACETOXY-Z-METHYLINDOLE A. 5-Acetoxy-2-methyl-3-mcthylthioindole.

This compound was obtained from Nchloro-4- acetoxyaniline and methylthioacetone following Method A, carried out on a 0.022 mol scale, which gave 3.55 g (0.015 mol, 68%) of the sub-titled product: mp l29-l29.5, (recr. from methanol); ir (KBr) 3340 (NH) and 1710 cm (C=O); Pmr (CCL), 1.90 (1H, 3, NH) 2.92 and 3.48 (1 resp. 2H, s, aromatic H). 7.73, 7.78 and 7.94 (3H, s, CH

Anal. Calcd for C H NO S: C, 61.25; H, 5.57; N, 5.95; S, 13.63. Found: C. 60.91; H, 5.61; N, 5.90; 5.13.57.

B. Desulfurization of the 5-acetoxy-2-methy1-3-methyl-thioindole (0.05g. 2.13 mmol)(with Raney nickel) gave in 72% yield 5-acetoxy-2-methyl-indole. mp 129-132 (lit. 128-l30).

EXAMPLE 5 PREPARATION OF S-CHLORO-Z-METHYLINDOLE A. 5-Chloro-2-methyl-3-methy1thioindole.

This compound was prepared from N-chloro-4- chloroaniline and methylthioacetone following Method A, which gave 6.68 g (0.032 mol, 72%) of the sub-titled product: mp. 6464.5 (recr. from cyclohexane ir (KBr) 3350 cm (NH); Pmr(CC1 2.42 (lH,s,NH). 2.52 and 3.15 (1 resp. 2H,m,aromatic H), 7.72 and 7.90 (3H, s, CH and SCH Anal. Calcd for C H CINS: C,56.73; H.476; N,6.62; 8,15. 14 Found: C, 56.73; H.472; N,6.56; S, 15.25.

B. Desulfurization of 5-chloro-2methyl-3- methylthioindole (1.0 g, 4.73 mmol) gave in 74% yield 5-chloro2-methy1indole (mp 99100.5, lit. 1 17-1 19) as confirmed by comparison of its ir spectrum with that of an authentic sample.

EXAMPLE 6 PREPARATION OF 4-NITRO- 2-METHYL-3-METHYLTHIOINDOLE A. Z-Methyl-3-methylthio-4-nitroindole.

This compound was obtained from N-chloro-3- nitroaniline and methylthioacetone following Method A with the modifications that (a) tetrahydrofuran (THF) was used as the solvent in view of the solubility and (b) the mixture was stirred for 1 hr. after addition of the hypochlorite and 2 hr. after addition of the sultide. In this way 8.07 g (0.036 mol. 82%) of 4-nitro-2- methyl-3-methylthioindo1e was isolated: mp 148-150 recr. from a CC1 /CHCl mixture); ir (KBr) 3300 cm (NH); p r (CDCl 1.10 (1H,s. NH), 1.75-3.00 (3H. m, aromatic H), 7.40 and 7.75 (3H. s, CH and SCH Anal. Calcd for C H N O S; C, 54.04; H, 4.54; N. 12.60; S. 14.42. Found: C, 54.09; H, 4.58; N, 12.62; S. 14.49.

EXAMPLE 7 PREPARATION OF 2.7-DlMETHYLlNDOLE A. 2.7-Dimethyl-3-methy1thioindole.

This compound was obtained from N-chloro-2- methylaniline and methylthioacetone following Method A. which gave 6.04 g (0.03 16 mol, 72%) of the sub-titled product: mp 59.560.5 (recr. from cyclohexane); ir (KBr) 3360 cm (NH); pmr (CC1,),

2.30-3.60 (4H, m. aromatic H), 7.66, 7.74 and 7.85 (3H. s, CH NCH and SCH Ana1.Ca1cd for C,,H NS:C.69.06; H, 6.85; N, 7.32 Found: C,69.05; H, 6.85; N, 7.24.

B. Desulfurization of 2.7-dimethy1-3- methylthioindole (1.0 g, 5.23 mmol) gave in 73% 2,7- dimethylindolc, mp 32-33 (lit. 3335).

EXAMPLE 8 PREPARATION OF 1,2-DIMETHYLINDOLE A. I,2-Dimethyl-3-methylthioindole.

This compound was obtained from N-chloro-N- methylaniline and methylthioacetone following Method A. In this case. the organic layer was extracted twice with 2N aqueous hydrochloric acid, after it had been hydrolyzed with 50 ml of water. From the acid extracts 1.53 g (32.5%) of N-methylaniline could be recovered. The organic layer gave in the usual work-up procedure 3.02 g (0.016 mo], 36%, or 54% based on unrecovered starting aniline) of the sub-titled product: mp 59.560 (recr. from n hexane); pmr (CCL), 2.45 and 2.96 (I and 3H, m, aromatic H), 6.62 (3H, s, NCH 7.65 and 7.87 (3H, s, CH and SCH Anal. Calcd for C H NS: C,69.06; H685; N,7.32 Found: C,68.77; H.679; N,7.26.

B. Desulfurization of 1,2-dimethyI-3- methylthioindole 1.0 g, 5.23 mmol) gave in 76% yield 1.2-dimethylindo1e, mp 5052 (lit. 56).

EXAMPLE 9 PREPARATION OF Z-PHENYLINDOLE A. 3-Methylthio-2-phenylindole This compound was obtained from N-chloroaniline and methyl phenacylsulfide following Method A, which gave 8.57 g (0.036 mol, 81%) ofthe sub-titled product: mp 106-107 (recr. from 95% ethanol); ir (KBr) 3300 cm" (NH); pmr (CCl 2.00-3.00 (10H, m. aromatic H) and 7.84 (3H, s, SCH

Anal. Calcd for C H NS: C,75.28; H,5.48; N,5.85. Found: C.75.16; H.550; N585.

B. Dcsulfurization of 3-methy1thio-2-phenylindole (1.55 g, 6.50 mmol) gave in 74% yield 2phenylindole, mp 186.5-187.5 (lit. 186), which ir spectrum was identical to that of an authentic sample.

EXAMPLE 10 PREPARATION OF INDOLE A. 3-Methy1thioindole This compound was obtained from N-chloroaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde following Method A which gave 1.06 g (6.5 mmol, 30%) of the sub-titled product: bp 112.51 13 (0.15 mm), n "D 1.6488; ir 3340 cm (NH); pmr (CCI 2.40 and 3.05 (2 resp. 4H. m, aromatic H) and 7.82 (3H, s, SCH

Anal. Calcd for C H NS: C,66.22; H,5.56; N,8.58. Found: C661 1; H557; N,8.52.

B. Desulfurization of 3-methylthioind0le (1.7 g, 0.01 mol) gave indole in 82% yield, as confirmed by comparison with an authentic sample.

EXAMPLE I] PREPARATION OF S-CHLOROINDOLE A. 5-Chloro-3-methylthioindo1e This compound was obtained from N,4- dichloroaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde following Method A, but using tetrahydrofuran as the solvent. On column chromatography 1.72 g of the starting aniline could be recovered and 3.00 g (0.0152 mol. 35%. or 50% calculated on unrecovered aniline) of the subtitled product was isolated: bp I34.5I35.5 (0.20 mm); ir 3370 cm '(NH); pmr (CCl 1.90 (1H, .1, NH), 2.37 (1H, s, aromatic H). 2.93 (3H, m, aromatic H) and 7.72 (3H, s, SCI-I Anal. Calcd. for C H CINS: C, 54.68; H, 4.08; N, 7.09; S,l6.22. Found: C,54.44; H,4.13; N,7.13; 8.16.02.

B. Desulfurization of 5-chloro-3-methylthioindole with Raney nickel gives 5-ch1oroindo1e.

EXAMPLE I2 PREPARATION OF 3-METHYLTHIO-4-NITROINDOLE A. 3-MethyIthio-4-nitroindole.

This compound was obtained from N-chloro-3- nitroaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde following Method A, with the modification that tetrahydrofuran was used as the solvent. In addition, the mixture was stirred for 1 hr after addition of the hypochlorite. After hydrolysis with water, the reaction mixture was extracted with 1N aqueous hydrochloric acid to remove any remaining nitroaniline. In this way 3.50 g (0.017 mo], 38%) of 3-methyIthio-4-nitroindole was obtained as a black crystalline material: mp 123124 (recr. from ethanol); ir (KBr) 3310 cm (NH);pmr(CDC1 1.03 (1H, s, NH), 2.20-3.00 (4H, m, aromatic H), and 7.63 (3H, s, SCH

Anal. Calcd for C H N O S: C,51.9l; H.387; N,13.45; 5,1537. Found: C, 15.79; H,3.86. N,13.37. S,I5.41.

B. Desulfurization of 3methyIthio-4-nitroindo1e with Raney nickel gives 4'aminoindo1e.

EXAMPLE 13 PREPARATION OF S-CHLOROINDOLE A. 5Chloro-3-methylthioindole.

This compound was obtained from N,4- dichloroaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal by Method B giving 2.00 g (0.0102 mol, 23%) of product identical to that in Example I 1 A.

B. Desulfurization with Raney nickel as described above gives S-chloroindole.

EXAMPLE 14 PREPARATION OF S-METHYLINDOLE A. 5-Methyl-3-methylthioindo1e.

This compound was obtained from N-chIoro-4- methylaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal by Method B which gave 2.75 g (0.017 mol, 39%) this intermediate product, bp 125126 (0.20 mm), n D 1.6332; ir 3340 cm (NH); Pmr (CCI 2.45 (1H, s, NH), 2.55 (1H, s, aromatic H), 3.06 (3H, m, aromatic H), 7.57 and 7.75 (3H, s. CH and SCH Anal. Calcd C I-I NS: C ,67.75; H.626; N,7.90. Found: C, 67.52; H629; N,7.90.

B. Desulfurization of 5-methyI-3-methylthioindole (1.0 g, 5.65 mmol) gave an 82% yield of 5- methylindole, mp 5556.5 (lit. 58.5).

EXAMPLE 15 PREPARATION OF 3-METHYLTHIO-4-NITROINDOLE A. 3-MethyIthio-4-nitroindole.

This compound was obtained from N-chloro-3- nitroaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal following Method B giving 0.75 g (3.6 mmol, 38%) of the 3-Methylthio-4-nitroindole.

B. Desulfurization with Raney nickel as described above gives 4-aminoindole.

EXAMPLE l6 PREPARATION OF 2-METHYL-5-NITROINDOLE A. 2-Methyl-3-methylthio-5-nitroindole.

To a suitable reaction vessel there was added 6.07 g (0.044 mol) of 4-nitroaniline dissolved in 300 m1 of methylene chloride. The solution was cooled with vigorous stirring to 65, giving a suspension of the nitro compound. A solution of 5.75 g (0.055 mol) of t-butyl hypochlorite in 10 ml of methylene chloride was added to form the 4nitro-N-chloroaniline and subsequently after 3 hr, 7.4 g (0.071 mol) of methylthio-2-propane in 10 ml of methylene chloride was added, while stirring was continued for 10 hr. to form the azasulfonium :hloride salt. The triethylamine, 4.4 g (0.044 mol), dis- ;olved in 10 ml of methylene chloride was added and the solution was warmed to room temperature to form the 2-methyl-3-methylthio-5-nitroindole. A 50-ml portion of water was added and after separation, the organic layer was extracted thoroughly with a 2N aque- )LlS hydrochloric acid. Drying over anhydrous magneiium sulfate and filtration of the organic solution was Followed by evaporation, leaving a solid residue that was stirred for several hr with 30 ml of benzene. The 'emaining precipitate was collected by filtration giving 2.92 g (0.013 mol, 30%) of 2-methyl-3-methylthio-5- litroindole, mp l97.5l98.5 (recr. from 95% etha- 1ol);ir (KBr) 3250 cm"(NH); Pmr (acetone-d 1.40 'lH, br, 5, NH), 1.02 (1H, d, J=2.0Hz,4-aryl H), 2.02 lH, dd, J=8.0 and 2.0 Hz, 6-aryl H), 2.57 (1H, d, l=9.0 Hz, 7-aryl H) and 7.42 and 7.73 (3H, s, SCH and CH Anal. Calcd for c,,,H,,,N,o,s; C,53.84; H.458; -1,1255; S,l4.48. Found: C,54.05; H,4.54; N,l2.50; ,14.42.

B. De-methylthiolation with Raney nickel gives the Z-methyl-S-aminoindole.

EXAMPLE l7 PREPARATION OF S-CARBOETHOXY-Z-METHYLINDOLE A. Following general procedure A above 5- :arboethoxy-Z-methyl-3-methylthioindole was prerared from the N-chloro-drivative of benzocaine and nethylthio-Z-propanone, with the modification that the uspension of benzocaine in 150 ml of methylene chloide was stirred for 30 minutes at 65 with the tertrutyl hypochlorite solution before addition of the sulide. After addition of the methylthio-Z-propanone, ml of methylene chloride was added to promote tirring. Stirring was continued for 6 hours to insure omplete reaction before addition of the base. The oily esidue, obtained after work-up of the reaction mixure, was purified by stirring with 50 ml of ethyl ether, iving, upon filtration, 6.37 g (0.026 mol, 58% yield) f S-carboethoxy-Z-methyl-B-methylthioindole, m.p. 26-127C, (recrystallized from absolute ethanol); ir KBr) 3250 (NH) and 1650 cm (C=0 pmr (CDCl .84 lH,s,NH), 1.35 1 H, d, J=l.5 Hz, 4-aryl H), 2.16 1H, dd,.l=8.0 and 1.5 Hz, S-aryl H), 2.89 (1H, dJ=8.0 lz, 7-ary1 H), 5.61 (2H, q, .l=7.0 Hz OCH 7.52 and .80 (3H, s, CH and SCH and 8.59 (3H, t, J=7.0 Hz, )CH CH Anal. Calcd for C H NO S: C, 62.63; H, 6.06; N, 5.62; S, 12.86. Found: C, 62.54; H, 6.19; N, 5.63; S, 12.79.

B. -Carboethoxy-2-methylindole was obtained by desulfurization of 5-carboethoxy-2-methyl-3- methylthioindole, (1.0 g, 4.02 mmol), by the de-methylthiolation with Raney nickel giving 0.68 g (3.35 mmol, 83%) of 5-carboethoxy-2-methylindole, mp 140l4lC. (recr. from benzene); ir (KBr) 3250 (NH) and 1650 cm'(C=0); Pmr (CDCI 1.66 (2H, br, 3, NH and 4-aryl H), 2.13 (1H, dd J=8.0 and 1.5 Hz, 6-aryl H), 2.83 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz, 7-aryl H), 3.68 (1H, s, 3-aryl H), 5.60 (2H, q, .l=7.0 Hz, OCH 7.56 (3H, s, CH and 8.58 (3H, t, .l=7.0 Hz, OCH- CH Anal. Calcd for C, H, NO C,70.92; H,6.45; N,6.89

a Found: C,7l.07; H,6.43; N,6.87.

EXAMPLE 18 PREPARATION OF S-CARBETHOXYINDOLE A. Following the general procedure A, 5- carboethoxy-3-methylthioindole was prepared by converting benzocaine to N-chlorobenzocaine, and reacting the N-ehlorobenzocaine with methylthioacetaldehyde to form the azasulfonium salt therefrom, followed by treating the azasulfonium salt reaction mixture with triethylamine to form the 5-carboethoxy-3- methylthioindole.

In the work-up of the reaction mixture 50 ml of water was added after warming to room temperature, the layers were separated and the organic solution was concentrated. The residue was redissolved in ml of ethyl ether, extracted with 2N aqueous hydrochloric acid to remove unreacted benzocaine, treated with sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated, leaving a residue that was subjected to column chromatography (silica gel). There was obtained 2.58 g (0.01 1 mol, 25%) of 5-earboethoxy-3-methylthioindole mp, 89.090.5 (recr. from CCl ir (KBr) 3220 (NH) and 1650 cm"'(C=0); Pmr (CCL 0.69 (1H, s, NH), 1.52 (1H,

d, J=1.5 Hz, 4-aryl H), 2.10 (1H, dd .l=8.0 and 1.5 Hz,.

6-aryl H), 2.70 (2H, m, 2- and 7-aryl H), 5.56 (2H, q, J=7.0 Hz, OCH 7.67 (3H, s, SCH 8.54 (3H, t .l=7.0 Hz, OCH CH Anal. Calcd for C,,H,,,NO,S: N,5.95; S,13.63. Found: N,5.74;S,13.32.

S-Carboethoxyindole was obtained by desulfurization of 5-earboethoxy3-methylthioindole, (0.53 g, 2.25 mmol) in the manner described above giving 0.31 g (1.64 mmol, 73%) of 5-carboethoxyindole mp 9495 (recr. from cyclohexane); ir (KBr) 3320 (NH) and 1660 cm (C=0); pmr (CCl 0.68 (1H, s, NH), 1.60 (1H, br, s, 4-ary1 H), 2.14 (1H, dd J=8.0 and 1.5 Hz, 6-aryl H), 2.70 (2H, m, aryl H), 3.48 (1H, m, aryl H), 5.62 (2H, q 7.0 Hz, OCH and 8.61 (3H, t, J=7.0 Hz, OCH CH Anal. Calcd for C H NO C, 69.83; H,5.86; N,7.40. Found: C,69.68; H,5.8l; N734.

EXAMPLE [9 PREPARATION OF A MIXTURE OF 2,4-DlMETHYL-AND 2,6-DlMETHYL-[NDOLES A. Following the general procedure of A, m-toluidine was convened to the N-chloro-m-toluidine. The N- chloro-m-toluidine was reacted with methylthio-2- propanone to form the azasulfonium chloride salt. The azasulfonium chloride salt was reacted with triethylamine to form the mixture of the 2.4-dimethyl and 2,6- dimethyl-3-methylthioindoles. After column chromatography (silica gel-methylene chloride) there was isolated 4.87 g (0.026 mol, 58%) of the substantially pure isomeric mixture (resp. ratio 41:59) as an oil: ir 3400 cm (NH); pmr (CCl 2.50-3.60 (4H, m. aryl H), 7.20 (s. 4. CH 7.65 (s, 6, CH 7.08, 7.93 and 7.96 (s, SCH and 2-CH all these singlets together account for an intergration of 9H.

B. Desulfurization of this mixture (2.52 g. 13.2 mmol) was accomplished by Raney nickel reduction procedures giving 1.19 g (8.25 mmol, 62.5%) ofa mixture of 2,4-dimethyland 2,6-dimethylindole as a solid in a respective ratio of 34:66 pmr (CCl 2.60-4.20 (5H. m, aryl H), 7.17, 7.62, 7.94 and 8.00 (s, CH and SCH total intergration for 6H).

Both mixtures could not be preparatively separated by available laboratory techniques.

EXAMPLE PREPARATION OF 3-METHYLTHIO-7-AZA1NDOLE AND 7-AZA1NDOLE To a stirred solution of Z-aminopryridine (4.70 g, 0.05 mole) in 100 ml of methylene chloride at 65 was added dropwise a solution of a t-butyl hypochlorite (5.43 g, 0.05 mole) in 20 ml of methylene chloride cooled in a Dry-Icc/acetone bath to form the N-chloro- Z-aminopyridine. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hr. Thiomethylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal (6.80 g, 0.05 mole) in 10 ml of methylene chloride cooled in a Dry-Ice acetone bath was introduced and stirred for 1.5 hr to form the azasulfomium salt. Sodium methoxide (3.0 g, 0.055 mole) in 50 ml of absolute methanol cooled in a Dry-lcc/acetone bath was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2.5 hr. Work-up of the reaction mixture by the standard procedure gave an intermediate which was mixed with potassium t-butoxide (5.6 g, 0.05 mole) in 300 ml of t-butyl alcohol. The mixture was refluxed for 5.5 hr. Rearrangement to the desired sulfide was shown to be complete by thin layer chromatography. Water was added to the reaction mixture when it was cooled to room temperature and the reaction mixture was extracted with diethyl ether. The combined ethereal extracts were concentrated on the rotary evaporator to give an oil which was taken up in 100 m] of 0.1 N aqueous hydrochloric acid and 100 ml of diethyl ether and stirred for 4.5 hr at room temperature. The aqueous layer was separated, basified with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate, and extracted with diethyl ether. The ethereal extracts were combined, dried, and concentrated to give crude 3-methylthio-7-azaindolc (6.0 g) which was chromatographed on silica gel (Skelly Solve B and ethyl ether) to give white crystalline titled product (3.70 g, 45%), mp. ll5.0l 15.5; nmr (CDCl 2.36 (.s',3H), 7.35 (d ofd, 1H), 7.50 (.1. 1H), 8.10 (dofd, 1H), 8.40 (dofd,

1H), and 12.72 (broad s, 1H). Ev H. Wick. T. Yaminishi. H. C. Wcrtheimer, Y. E. Hoff, B. E. Proctor. and S. A. Ooldhlith. J. Agni Fund (Irv/1L, 9. 28) (1961).

Exact Mass Molecular Weight. Calcd for C H N S: 164.0408. Found: 164.0410 Anal. Calcd for C H,,N S: C,58.51; H.491; N,l7.06; S.l9.52. Found: (5847; H520; N.l7.l2; 5.19.51.

De-methylthiolation with Raney nickel gives 7- azaindole.

EXAMPLE 21 PREPARATION OF TETRAHYDROCARBAZOLE A. 1 l-Methylthiol ,2.3,4-tetrahydrocarbazolenine was obtained by adding dropwise to a vigorously stirred solution of 0.044 mol of aniline in 150 m1 of methylene chloride cooled to -65 a solution of 0.044 mol of tbutylhypochlorite in 20 ml of the same solvent. After a 5 min. period 0.044 mol of 2-methylthiocyclohexanone in 20 ml of methylene chloride was added causing a slight exotherm and stirring was continued for 1 hr. The intermediate azasulfonium salt did not precipitate. Subsequently, 0.044 mol of triethylamine in 20 ml of methylene chloride was added and after the addition was completed the cooling bath was removed to allow the solution to warm to room temperature. A 50-ml portion of water was added and the organic layer was separated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The residue was subjected to column chromatography (SiO -methylene chloride), giving 5.58 g (0.0257 mol, 58%) of l l-methylthiol,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazolenine as an oil that solidified on standing in the refrigerator: mp 48-50 (recr. from n-hexane), bp. 8788 (0.05 mm); ir 1690 cm (N=C); pmr (CCl.,) 12.50-320 (4H, m, aryl-H 7.00-8.95 (8H, m. aliphatic H), 8.84 (3H, s, SCH

Anal. Calcd for C l-l NS: N,6.45. Found: N,6.40.

B. 1. Conversion of 1 l-Methylthio-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazolenine to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole. This conversion was achieved by adding to an ice-cooled solution of 634 mg (2.92 mmol) of the thio-ether indolenine in 20 ml of anhydrous ether. portion wise 159 mg (4.18 mmol) oflithium aluminum hydride. The mixture was stirred for 40 min. at room temperature and then hydrolyzed with 30 ml of 0.5N aqueous sulfuric acid. The layers were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted twice with 30-ml portions of ether. The combined organic solutions were treated with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated, leaving 520 mg (mp. 1101l6.5) of a residue that was purified further by column chromatography (Si0 -methylene chloride). 1n this way 400 mg (2.34 mmol, of 1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazole, mp l14.5l 17 (lit. mp. 116), was obtained.

B. 2. Conversion of ll-Methylthio-1.2.3.4-tetrahydrocarbazolenine to l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole. This was achieved by refluxing a mixture of 687 mg (3.17 mmol) of the thio-ether indolenine and 363 mg (9.81 mmol) of sodium borohydride in 20 ml of isopropanol for 16 hr. A 20-ml portion of water was added and the mixture was extracted twice with 30-ml portions of methylene chloride. The organic extracts were dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. filtered, and evaporated. leaving 500 mg (mp -l 1 1) ofa residue, that was purified further over a column (siO -methylene chloride). in this manner 438 mg (2.02 mmol, 64%) of l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole, mp. llll 14 was obtained.

B. 3. Conversion of 1 l-Methylthio-1.2.3.4-tetrahydrocarbazolenine to l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole. This was achieved by stirring 798 mg (3.67 mmol) of the thio-ether indolenine in 30 ml of absolute ethanol for 30 min with 2 spoons of Ra-Ni W-Z. Workup as for the formerly described desulfurizations gave 521 mg (3.05 mmol, 83%) of l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole, mp. l17.5.

Additional compounds which can be prepared by the arocedures described above include:

-cyanoindole from N-chloro-4-cyanoaniline and nethylthioacetaldehyde;

6'(N.N-diethylamino)indole from N-chloro-3-(N,N- liethylamino) aniline and methylthioacetaldehydc;

4,5-dichlorindole from NjA-trichloroaniline and nethyltrioacetaldehyde;

6-propionoxy-2-methylindole from aropionoxyaniline and methylthioacetone;

S-butoxycarbonylindole from N-chloro-4- utoxycarbonylaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde;

G-phenoxycarbonylindole from N-chloro-3- ihenoxycarbonylaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde;

N,5-dimethylindole from N-chloro-N-methyl-4- nethylaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde;

N-benzyl-S-nitroindole from N-chloro-N-benzylA- litroaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde;

N-phenyl-S-cyanoindole from N-chloro-N-phenyl-4- ryanoaniline and methylthioacetaldehyde;

N-propyl-2-methylindole from vropylaniline and methylthioacetone;

5-azaindole from 4-(N-chloroamino) pyridine and nethylthioacetaldehyde;

4-aza-7-chloroindole from 3-(N-chloroamino)6- rhloropyridine and methylthioacetaldehyde;

5-chloro-3-methylindole from N,4-dichloroaniline ind 2-(methylthio)-propionaldehyde;

2,3-dimethylindole from N-chloroaniline -methylthio-2-butanone;

6-methyltetrahydrocarbazole from oluidine and B-methylthio-Z-butanone;

6-aza-2-benzylindole from 4-(N-chloroamino) pyriline and l-methylthio-3-phenyl acetone, and the like.

The acetal or ketal forms of the B-carbonyl sulfide eactants can be used to prepare the compounds by the Aethod B procedure.

I claim:

1. A process which comprises reacting in an organic lquid solvent, under substantially anhydrous condiions at a temperature of from about -78C to about 0C, a compound of the formula N-chloro-3- N-chloro-N- and N-chloro-p- /herein 1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical free of aliphatic unsaturation and containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms;

i is chlorine or bromine;

ach of Y and Z is hydrogen or a substituent which does not donate electrons any more strongly than mmethoxy, m-hydroxy, or p-acetoxy, and not more than one of Y and Z is ortho to the --N (R)A group position on the ring;

1e -N(R)A group position on the ring having at least one ring carbon atom ortho thereto in an unsubstituted state; with a sulfide compound having the formula 0 ll R' s-|CH-C-R* (ll) Rll wherein R is lower alkyl, or phenyl;

R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or phenyl;

R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl or benzyl;

R can be attached to R" as part of a cyclic ring system containing 5 to 8 carbon atoms;

for a time sufficient to form an azasulfonium salt having the formula A [IV] wherein X, Y, Z, R, R and R are as defined in claim 1, and wherein the perforated hexagon containing X, Y and Z denote a fused benzo (phenyl) or pyridyl ring in which X is in the 4-, 5-, 6- or 7- position relative to the indole ring nitrogen.

3. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the azasulfonium salt is one of formula [V wherein X is CH=; each of Y and Z is hydrogen; R is hydrogen;

R is hydrogen, lower alkyl or benzyl;

R" is lower alkyl, phenyl or benzyl;

and said azasulfonium salt is reacted with a substantially anhydrous base to effect rearrangement of the azasulfonium salt and to form a thio-ether indolenine compound of the formula (VIII) wherein X, Y, Z, R, R and R are as defined above and the perforated hexagon containing X, Y and Z de notes a fused benzo ring.

4. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the azasulfonium salt of the formula IV wherein X is CH=; each of Y and Z is hydrogen;

R is hydrogen; g

R and R" are taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded to complete a ring containing from 5 to 8 carbon atoms;

is reacted with a substantially anhydrous base to effect rearrangement of the azasulfonium salt and to form a thio-ether indolenine compound of the formula (VIII) wherein the X, Y, Z, R, and R are as defined in claim 1.

6. A process as defined in claim 3 which further includes the step of treating the thio-ether having formula (Vlll) with a de-sulfurizing reducing agent selected from the group consisting of Raney nickel, an alkali metal aluminum hydride, and an alkali metal bor ohydride to form a compound of the formula:

wherein X, Y, Z, R and R are as defined in claim 5.

7. A process as defined in claim 4 which further includes the step of treating the thio-ether having formula (Vlll) with a de-sulfurizing reducing agent selected from the group consisting of Raney nickel, an alkali metal aluminum hydride, and an alkali metal borohydride to form a compound of the formula:

Z I R2 wherein X, Y, Z, R and R are as defined in claim 6. 8. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein X is CH=; R is lower alkyl; A is chlorine; each of Y and Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen, nitro, cyano, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, lower acyloxy, a carbonyloxy-lower alkyl and carbonyloxy-phenyl groups; the sulfide compound has formula ll wherein R is lower alkyl, R is lower alkyl and R is hydrogen to form an azasulfonium salt of the formula i ea i N s-cH-c-R= (:1

[IV(a) 1 wherein Y, Z, R, R, R and R are as defined herein.

9. A process as defined in claim 8 wherein an N- chloro-aniline is reacted with methylthioacetone, and then the resulting azasulfonium salt is reacted with a tris (lower alkyl) amine to form a 2-methyl-3- methylthioindole.

10. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein X is N=; R is hydrogen; A is chlorine; each of Y and Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen, nitro, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, lower acyloxy; the sulfide compound has formula II wherein R is lower alkyl; R is hydrogen, and R hydrogen to form an azasulfonium salt of the formula Z [IV(b)] wherein X, Z, R and R are as defined herein.

11. A process as defined in claim 10 wherein a N- chloro-2-aminopyridine is reacted with thiomethylacetaldehyde to form the azasulfonium chloride salt, and then the azasulfonium chloride salt is reacted with a substantially anhydrous base to form a 3-methylthio-7-azaindole 12. A process as defined in claim 11 which further eludes the step of treating the 3-methylthioindole ith a de-sulfurizing reducing agent selected from the oup consisting of Raney nickel. an alkali metal alumiim hydride, and an alkali metal borohydride to form dole.

13. A process as defined in claim 12 wherein the relcing agent is Raney nickel.

14. A process for preparing indoles which comprises; reacting an N-haloaniline with a B-carbonyl sulfide having the formula:

nerein R is lower alkyl, or phenyl; R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or phenyl; R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl or benzyl; R can be attached to R'""" as part of a cyclic ring system containing 5 to 8 carbon atoms; in an inert organic liquid diluent under substantially anhydrous conditions at a temperature of from about 78C to about 20C to form an azasulfonium halilde salt;

reacting the azasulfonium salt from step (a) with a substantially anhydrous base to form a 3-thio-ether indole or 3-thioether indolenine compound, and treating the 3-thio-ether indole or 3-thio-ether indolenine compound from step (b) with Raney nickel under desulfurizing conditions to form the indole. 15. A process as defined in claim 14 wherein in step an N-chloroaniline is reacted with a lower alkylthiieetaldehyde to form an azasulfonium chloride salt, step (b) the azasulfonium chloride salt is treated with a tris (lower alkyl) amine to form a 3-alkylthioindole, and

step (e) the 3-alkylthioindole is treated with Raney nickel to form an indole.

16. A process as defined in claim 15 wherein in step N-chloroaniline is reacted with methylthioacetaldedc to form the azasulfonium chloride salt,

in step (b) the azasulfonium chloride salt is treated with triethylamine to form 3-methylthioindolc; and in step (c) the 3-mcthylthioindole is treated with Raney nickel to form indole.

17. A process as defined in claim 14 wherein a 3-thi0- ether indolenine is formed by the procedures of steps (a) and (b) and in step (c) the 3-thio-ether indolenine from step (b) is treated with a hydride selected from the group consisting of lithium aluminum hydride and a sodium borohydride under desulfurizing conditions to form the indole.

18. A process as defined in step 17 wherein in step (a) a N-ehloroaniline is reacted with 2-methylthioeyclohexanone to form an azasulfonium chloride salt; in step (b) the azasulfonium chloride salt is treated with triethylamine to form a 3-thio-ether indolenine; and in step (c) the 3-thioether indolenine is treated with lithium aluminum hydride to form tetrahydrocarbazole.

19. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein X is CH=, R is hydrogen, A is chlorine, each of Y and Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen, nitro, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, lower acyloxy; the sulfide compound has Formula (II) wherein R is lower alkyl, R is hydrogen and R is hydrogen, to form an azasulfonium salt of the formula:

wherein Y, Z, R, R, R and R are as defined herein.

20. A process as defined in claim [9 wherein an N- chloroaniline is reacted with methylthioacetaldehyde to form the azasulfonium chloride salt, and then the resulting azasulfonium chloride salt is reacted with a substantially anhydrous base to form a 3-methylthioindole. k

UNITED STATES PA'HRNI JFILIF. CER'llFICNlE OF (ZURlililUllUP-l Patent No. 3,901,899 Dated August 26 1976 lnventol-(s) I Paul G. Gassman It is certified that error appears in the above-identiflod patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 2, after line 63 Does not appear in A denotes chlorine or Letters Patent at all bromine, but is preferably chlorine:

Col. 12, line 18 (0 .059, 2. 13 mmol) (0 50g, 2. 13 mmol) Col. 16, line 40 "pmr II pmr (CCl Claim 6 Col. 22, line 1 "claim 5" SHOULD BE: claim 3 Claim 7 Col. 22, line 18 "claim 6" SHOULD BE: claim 4 Claim 12 C01. 23, line 1 "claim ll" SHOULD BE: claim 20 Claim 14 C01. 23, line 20 3 "attached to R attaChed tO R Signed and Scalcd this Second Day Of November 1976 [SEAL] Arrest" RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Ammmg Officer (vmmissumvr of Ialems and Trademarks 

1. A PROCESS WHICH COMPRISES REACTING IN AN ORGANIC LIQUID SOLVENT, UNDER SUBSTANTIALLY ANHYDROUS CONDITIONSJAT A TEMPERATURE OF FROM ABOUT -78*C TO ABOUT 2/*C, A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA
 2. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the azasulfonium salt of formula IV, where R3 H, is reacted with a substantially anhydrous base to effect rearrangement of the azasulfonium salt and to form a thio-ether compound of the formula
 3. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the azasulfonium salt is one of formula IV wherein X is -CH ; each of Y and Z is hydrogen; R is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or benzyl; R3 is lower alkyl, phenyl or benzyl; and said azasulfonium salt is reacted with a substantially anhydrous base to effect rearrangement of the azasulfonium salt and to form a thio-ether indolenine compound of the formula
 4. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the aza-sulfonium salt of the formula IV wherein X is -CH ; each of Y and Z is hydrogen; R is hydrogen; R2 and R3 are taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded to complete a ring containing from 5 to 8 carbon atoms; is reacted with a substantially anhydrous base to effect rearrangement of the azasulfonium salt and to form a thio-ether indolenine compound of the formula
 5. A process as defined in claim 2 which further includes the step of treating the thio-ether compound having formula (VI) with a de-sulfurizing reducing agent selected from the group consisting of Raney nickel, an alkali metal aluminum hydride, and an alkali metal borohydride to form a compound of the formula:
 6. A process as defined in claim 3 which further includes the step of treating the thio-ether having formula (VIII) with a de-sulfurizing reducing agent selected from the group consisting of Raney nickel, an alkali metal aluminum hydride, and an alkali metal borohydride to form a compound of the formula:
 7. A process as defined in claim 4 which further includes the step of treating the thio-ether having formula (VIII) with a de-sulfurizing reducing agent selected from the group consisting of Raney nickel, an alkali metal aluminum hydride, and an alkali metal borohydride to form a compound of the formula:
 8. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein X is -CH ; R is lower alkyl; A is chlorine; each of Y and Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen, nitro, cyano, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, lower acyloxy, a carbonyloxy-lower alkyl and carbonyloxy-phenyl groups; the sulfide compound has formula II wherein R1 is lower alkyl, R2 is lower alkyl and R3 is hydrogen to form an azasulfonium salt of the formula
 9. A process as defined in claim 8 wherein an N-chloro-aniline is reacted with methylthioacetone, and then the resulting azasulfonium salt is reacted with a tris (lower alkyl) amine to form a 2-methyl-3-methylthioindole.
 10. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein X is -N ; R is hydrogen; A is chlorine; each of Y and Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen, nitro, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, lower acyloxy; the sulfide compound has formula II wherein R1 is lower alkyl; R2 is hydrogen, and R3 hydrogen to form an azasulfonium salt of the formula
 11. A process as defined in claim 10 wherein a N-chloro-2-aminopyridine is reacted with thiomethylacetaldehyde to form the azasulfonium chloride salt, and then the azasulfonium chloride salt is reacted with a substantially anhydrous base to form a 3-methylthio-7-azaindole
 12. A process as defined in claim 11 which further includes the step of treating the 3-methylthioindole with a de-sulfurizing reducing agent selected from the group consisting of Raney nickel, an alkali metal aluminum hydride, and an alkali metal borohydride to form indole.
 13. A process as defined in claim 12 wherein the reducing agent is Raney nickel.
 14. A process for preparing indoles which comprises; a. reacting an N-haloaniline with a Beta -carbonyl sulfide having the formula:
 15. A process as defined in claim 14 wherein in step (a) an N-chloroaniline is reacted with a lower alkylthioacetaldehyde to form an azasulfonium chloride salt, in step (b) the azasulfonium chloride salt is treated with a tris (lower alkyl) amine to form a 3-alkylthioindole, and in step (c) the 3-alkylthioindole is treated with Raney nickel to form an indole.
 16. A process as defined in claim 15 wherein in step (a) N-chloroaniline is reacted with methylthioacetaldehyde to form the azasulfonium chloride salt, in step (b) the azasulfonium chloride salt is treated with triethylamine to form 3-methylthioindole; and in step (c) the 3-methylthioindole is treated with Raney nickel to form indole.
 17. A process as defined in claim 14 wherein a 3-thio-ether indolenine is formed by the Procedures of steps (a) and (b) and in step (c) the 3-thio-ether indolenine from step (b) is treated with a hydride selected from the group consisting of lithium aluminum hydride and a sodium borohydride under desulfurizing conditions to form the indole.
 18. A process as defined in step 17 wherein in step (a) a N-chloroaniline is reacted with 2-methylthiocyclohexanone to form an azasulfonium chloride salt; in step (b) the azasulfonium chloride salt is treated with triethylamine to form a 3-thio-ether indolenine; and in step (c) the 3-thio-ether indolenine is treated with lithium aluminum hydride to form tetrahydrocarbazole.
 19. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein X is -CH , R is hydrogen, A is chlorine, each of Y and Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen, nitro, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, lower acyloxy; the sulfide compound has Formula (II) wherein R1 is lower alkyl, R2 is hydrogen and R3 is hydrogen, to form an azasulfonium salt of the formula:
 20. A process as defined in claim 19 wherein an N-chloroaniline is reacted with methylthioacetaldehyde to form the azasulfonium chloride salt, and then the resulting azasulfonium chloride salt is reacted with a substantially anhydrous base to form a 3-methylthioindole. 